Participatory Video in Pakistan with Maati tv

Maati TV is a web based interactive video site aimed at creating an alternative narrative of Pakistan that promotes peace, tolerance and democracy. Maati TV is an initiative of Interactive Resource Centre, an info media organization based in Lahore, Pakistan. Maati TV puts forward narratives of peace, tolerance, gender equality and cultural heritage through digital stories, mini web series, citizen journalism, V logs and Articles. This platform works on two levels. Firstly, it aims at putting forward narratives that might be ignored by the mainstream media. It exposes people to stories that encourage and inspire them towards a peaceful Pakistan where diversity is celebrated. Secondly, it is a platform for critical discourse. Individuals get to advocate for issues that directly impact them by sending in their stories. It is a free, creative and safe space for the people of Pakistan where they can change the current story of their country and its people, by actively contributing to an alternative one.

Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan has struggled with democracy due to a history of military dictatorships and a wave of religious extremism. Such an atmosphere has reduced spaces for the marginalized communities, particularly women and minority groups. As an activist and an artist, the biggest challenge in such an environment is to counter the extremist mind-set and intolerance that has become deeply rooted within Pakistan's population. According to Maati TV, it is especially challenging to develop a new narrative or image that includes greater diversity and inclusion while encouraging the community to not only accept this new narrative but also help develop it. Maati TV considers it as its main purpose to educate the people of Pakistan that their country is more culturally diverse and religiously tolerant than they realize by putting these examples in front of them in the form of a story.

In this hands-on workshop, Risham Waseem will share how Maati TV uses story-telling techniques and digital media to create a counter narrative against extremism and injustice. It will give an overview of the various advocacy and communication tools that Maati TV employs, particularly citizen journalism through mobile phones, and how it is used towards creating a dialogue within the masses. The workshop will also provide space to discuss the impact a collective narrative can have towards changing the mind-set of a community and how Maati TV is contributing to that. The participants of the workshop will be familiarized with the technical aspects of this platform, as well as the philosophy behind it.

Risham Waseem (1991) is a documentary filmmaker and the creative director of Maati TV. Risham is also the director of Vasakh Film Festival, an international documentary film festival aimed at creating awareness on Human rights issues and initiating a critical discourse among Pakistani youth. She also has a background in interactive/forum theatre. She has performed in various theatre plays all over Pakistan, on the themes of democracy, gender-based violence and countering violent extremism. Her biggest goal is to broaden the narrative of my country by making it more inclusive and tolerant through the art of storytelling.